The Fire Science program at College of DuPage was recently awarded the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) recognition by the United States Fire Administration/National Fire Academy located in Emmitsburg, Md.
To date, approximately 80 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. have received this prestigious academic recognition, which serves as an acknowledgement that a collegiate emergency services degree program meets the minimum standards of excellence established by FESHE professional development committees and the National Fire Academy (NFA).
“This recognition is not easy to attain, and it shows the quality of our fire science degree program,” said College of DuPage Interim President Joe Collins. “FESHE sets a national standard for the core courses delivered within fire science degree programs. Recognition by this organization sends the signal to our students and the communities we serve that we take fire service education very seriously.”
FESHE recognition ensures that a seamless articulation exists between two- year and four-year peer institutions. This certificate of recognition ensures that the core competencies are the same from institution to institution and the level of accomplishment and rigors of the programs are identical at institutions across the U.S.
Dan Krakora Fire Science/EMS Manager at COD said, “Once we realized the benefit of this recognition for our students and the College, we worked very hard to reach this goal through the ongoing enhancement of our curriculum. This was a three-year process that we know will benefit our students and will open doors to their future careers in fire science.”
With this new national recognition in place, once a student is enrolled in the Fire Science degree program, they will also register with the National Fire Academy (NFA) in Emmitsburg, Md. By doing so, students who complete program courses will earn credit toward a Fire Science degree and will also have the opportunity to receive a class certificate from the NFA.
This certificate will create a NFA transcript that will follow our students throughout their entire career in any state they decide to work,” said COD Fire Science Faculty member Tim Caldwell. “Although this is a rigorous process, the NFA credentials will help our students by ensuring prospective employers that our program meets the standard of excellence established by FESHE.”
The College of DuPage Fire Science program offers two Associate in Science Degrees, one in Fire Science and the other in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The program also offers five certificate programs, an Illinois State Fire Marshal-approved Fire Academy, and Fire/Arson Investigator Training Program.
For more information about the Fire Science degrees, programs and transfer options at College of DuPage, please call (630) 942- 2107 or visit www@cod.edu/fire.